Polymer fine particles and ink composition containing the same

ABSTRACT

Polymer fine particles are obtained by emulsion-polymerizing one or more monomers having a carboxylate group represented by the following formula and an unsaturated group that is radical polymerizable: 
     
         --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I) 
    
     wherein in the formula (I), X +  is one species selected from the group consisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR1## wherein R 1  to R 5  may be the same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4 respectively. Alternatively, polymer fine particles may be obtained by performing emulsion polymerization in the presence of a compound containing the foregoing carboxylate group. In the obtained polymer fine particles, the carboxylate group is incorporated into surfaces of the fine particles by the aid of covalent bond or physical adsorption. Metallic parts such as those contained in a printer are not corroded owing to the presence of the carboxylate group on the surfaces of the fine particles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to polymer fine particles and an inkcomposition containing the same. In particular, the present inventionrelates to polymer fine particles and an ink composition containing thesame, wherein the polymer fine particles are excellent in dispersionstability, and they stably carry a dye or a pigment in the inkcomposition.

2. Description of the Related Art

Polymer fine particles attract attention in various fields such as thoseconcerning paints and inks, since polymer fine particles can be used as,for example, a cosmetic additive, a plastic modifier, and aviscosity-adjusting agent. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No.60-42833 discloses an ink for ink-jet printers, containing polymer fineparticles prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a vinyl monomer, the polymerfine particles being impregnated with or adsorbed to a dye. Usually, asfor such polymer fine particles, in order to improve the dispersionstability of the particles in a medium, surfaces of the polymer fineparticles are modified with electrically charged groups. The polymerfine particles disclosed in the foregoing patent document have theirsurfaces modified with sulfonic groups such as --SO₃ Na. On the otherhand, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 5-163700 discloses a paintcomposition containing emulsion particles made of a polymer togetherwith a pigment. In this technique, polymer fine particles are alsomodified with sulfonate groups or the like.

However, the sulfonate group involves a problem that the dye or thepigment in the ink or the paint composition is deteriorated because thesulfonate group is a strong acid polar group. Especially, when an ionicdye is contained in the paint, the dye is markedly deteriorated.Further, when the ink composition or the paint containing such polymerfine particles is used in a machine such as a printer having metallicparts, a problem arises in that halide ion corrodes the metallic partssuch as a printer nozzle.

On the other hand, polymer fine particles, which have surfaces modifiedwith ammonium salt groups, are known (for example, C. Wu,Macromolecules, 27, 7099 (1994)). Such polymer fine particles do notcause the problem of deterioration of the dye because the particles haveweakly basic surfaces. However, usually, the counterion of the ammoniumbase is principally halide ion represented by chloride ion. Therefore,when an ink composition containing such polymer fine particles is usedin a printer, a problem arises in that halide ion corrodes metallicparts such as a printer nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide polymer fineparticles and an ink composition containing the same, the polymer fineparticles being excellent in dispersion stability, not corroding metal,and not deteriorating a dye or a pigment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are providedpolymer fine particles comprising a polymerization reaction productobtained by emulsion-polymerizing one or more monomers having anunsaturated group capable of radical polymerization;

at least one of the monomers being a compound which has a carboxylategroup and the unsaturated group capable of radical polymerization.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there areprovided polymer fine particles comprising a polymerization reactionproduct obtained by emulsion-polymerizing one or more monomers having anunsaturated group capable of radical polymerization;

the emulsion polymerization being performed in the presence of asurfactant containing a carboxylate group.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is providedan ink composition comprising the polymer fine particles according tothe first aspect of the present invention, having a particle diameter of10 to 300 nm, a dye, a binder, and a solvent principally composed ofwater.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is providedan ink composition comprising the polymer fine particles according tothe second aspect of the present invention, having a particle diameterof 10 to 300 nm, a pigment, a binder, and a solvent principally composedof water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The polymer fine particles according to the first aspect of the presentinvention can be produced by emulsion-polymerizing, in an aqueousmedium, a compound having a carboxylate group and an unsaturated groupcapable of radical polymerization, and a monomer having an unsaturatedgroup capable of radical polymerization as described later on.Accordingly, the polymer fine particles are obtained, in which thecarboxylate group is incorporated into surfaces of the fine particlesthrough covalent bond. The carboxylate group is preferably a grouprepresented by the following formula (I):

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I)

wherein in the formula (I), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR2## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be thesame or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number ofcarbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4 respectively.

Especially, the carboxylate group (I) represented by the formula (I) ispreferably a carboxylate group represented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+

wherein X⁺ is one species selected from the group consisting of:##STR3## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be the same or different, representinghydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4respectively, because the carboxylate groups represented by theforegoing formula do not agglomerate the polymer fine particlesregardless of the type of a dye or an additive to be used.

The compound having the carboxylate group and the unsaturated groupcapable of radical polymerization may be an arbitrary compound to beused provided that the compound contains the carboxylate group (I)described above and has the unsaturated group capable of radicalpolymerization. However, for example, the compound is exemplified bythose represented by the following general formula (II): ##STR4##wherein in the formula (II), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR5## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be thesame or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number ofcarbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, and R₆ represents hydrogen or a methylgroup.

The compound having the carboxylate group and the unsaturated groupcapable of radical polymerization described above is preferably used inan amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 10 parts byweight of the monomer as described later on. If the compound is used inan amount of less than 0.05 part by weight with respect to 10 parts byweight of the monomer, the dispersion stability of the polymer fineparticles is lowered. If the compound is used in an amount exceeding 5parts by weight, the viscosity of the system is increased. Morepreferably, the compound having the carboxylate group and theunsaturated group capable of radical polymerization is used in an amountof 0.1 to 2 parts by weight with respect to 10 parts by weight of themonomer.

The polymer fine particles of the present invention can be produced byemulsion-polymerizing the compound (monomer) having the carboxylategroup and the unsaturated group capable of radical polymerization, andthe second monomer. The second monomer used for the emulsionpolymerization may be (A) a monomer having one unsaturated group capableof radical polymerization singly, or a mixture of two or more species ofsuch monomers. It is allowable to use a combination of the monomer orthe monomer mixture of the foregoing item (A), and (B) a cross-linkablemonomer having two or more unsaturated groups capable of radicalpolymerization. In this procedure, the mixing ratio of (A) to (B) is notspecifically limited. However, the mixing ratio is preferably(A)/(B)=99/1 to 70/30 in weight ratio.

The monomer having at least one unsaturated group capable of radicalpolymerization (i.e., that is radical polymerization) of the foregoingitem (A) includes, for example, the following compounds:

1) alkyl (meta)acrylate, for example, methyl (meta)acrylate, ethyl(meta)acrylate, n-butyl (meta)acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl (meta)acrylate;

2) polymerizable aromatic compound, for example, styrene,α-methylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, 4-vinylpyridine;

3) carboxyl group-containing monomer, for example, acrylic acid,methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, and fumaricacid;

4) hydroxyl group-containing monomer, for example, 2-hydroxyethyl(meta)acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meta)acrylate, hydroxybutyl(meta)acrylate, allyl alcohol, and metaallyl alcohol;

5) nitrogen-containing alkyl (meta)acrylate, for example,dimethylaminoethyl (meta)acrylate,

6) polymerizable amide, for example, acrylic acid amide, and methacrylicacid amide;

7) polymerizable nitrile, for example, acrylonitrile andmethacrylonitrile;

8) polymerizable glycidyl compound, for example, glycidyl(meta)acrylate;

9) α-olefin, for example, ethylene and propylene;

10) vinyl compound, for example, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate; and

11) diene compound, for example, butadiene and isoprene.

The monomers described above can be used singly or in combination.

The monomer having, in the molecule, two or more unsaturated groupscapable of polymerization of the foregoing item (B) includes, forexample, ethylene glycol di(meta)acrylate, triethylene glycoldi(meta)acrylate, tetraethylene glycol di(meta)acrylate, 1,3-butyleneglycol di(meta)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meta)acrylate,1,4-butanediol di(meta)acrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meta)acrylate,1,6-hexanediol di(meta)acrylate, pentaerythritol di(meta)acrylate,pentaerythritol tetra(meta)acrylate, glycerol di(meta)acrylate, glycerolallyloxydi(meta)acrylate, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethanedi(meta)acrylate, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl) ethane tri(meta)acrylate,1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane di(meta)acrylate,1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane tri(meta)acrylate, triallyl cyanurate,triallyl isocyanurate, triallyl trimellitate, diallyl terephthalate,diallyl phthalate, allyl (meta)acrylate, and divinylbenzene.

The polymer fine particles according to the second aspect of the presentinvention can be produced by emulsion-polymerizing, in an aqueousmedium, the monomer (A) or the monomers (A) and (B) in combination byusing the carboxylate group-containing compound as a surfactant. Thusthe polymer fine particles are obtained, in which the compoundcontaining the carboxylate group is incorporated into the surfaces ofthe fine particles by the aid of physical adsorption and/or twining withthe polymer.

The carboxylate group-containing compound used as the surfactant may bean arbitrary compound provided that the compound is a surfactantcontaining the carboxylate group represented by the formula (II)described above. However, for example, the compound is exemplified bythose represented by the following general formula (III):

    R.sub.7 COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                  (III)

wherein in the formula (III), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR6## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be thesame or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number ofcarbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4 respectively, and R₇ represents ahydrocarbon group having a number of carbon atoms of 6 to 18.

The carboxylate group-containing compound used as the surfactant ispreferably used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respectto 10 parts by weight of the monomer. If the carboxylategroup-containing compound is used in an amount of less than 0.1 part byweight, the dispersion stability of the polymer fine particles islowered. If the compound is used in an amount exceeding 10 parts byweight, the viscosity of the system is increased. More preferably, thecarboxylate group-containing compound is used in an amount of 0.3 to 5parts by weight with respect to 10 parts by weight of the monomer.

In the case of the polymer fine particles of the present invention, pHof the carboxylate group existing on their surfaces is approximatelyneutral or weakly alkaline. Accordingly, when a dye is adsorbed to thesurfaces of the fine particles, the dye is not deteriorated. Therefore,the ink composition produced by using the polymer fine particles of thepresent invention is excellent in long-term stability of the dye or thepigment.

The polymer fine particles of the present invention are obtained, by theemulsion polymerization, as those having an average particle diameter of10 to 300 nm. The average particle diameter in this range allows, forexample, the ink composition to have excellent dispersion stability inthe medium.

A preparation of the polymer fine particles produced by the emulsionpolymerization as described above is obtained in a form of a syntheticlatex in which the polymer fine particles are dispersed in the medium.The preparation can be used for a variety of applications as it is in aform containing the medium. Depending on applications, the polymer fineparticles may be used after removing the mixed solvent by means of, forexample, solvent exchange, azeotropic distillation, centrifugation,filtration, and drying.

For example, a dye, a binder, and optionally a water-soluble organicsolvent, an ultraviolet-absorbing agent, a surfactant, an anti-cloggingagent, and a microbicide are added to a dispersion solution of thepolymer fine particles obtained by the emulsion polymerization asdescribed above. Thus the ink composition of the present invention,which comprises the polymer fine particles, the dye, the binder, and thesolvent principally composed of water, can be easily produced. The inkcomposition thus obtained exhibits excellent dispersion stability.Moreover, deterioration of the dye is remarkably suppressed. The inkcomposition may be prepared by using a pigment or a pigment dispersionobtained by dispersing the pigment, instead of the use of the dye. Theink composition obtainable in this procedure is also excellent indispersion stability.

Those usable as an organic dye to be used for the ink composition of thepresent invention include arbitrary organic dyes, preferably including,for example, acid dye, direct dye, cationic dye, mordant dye, acidmordant dye, sulfur dye, sulfur vat dye, vat dye, soluble vat dye, azoicdye, disperse dye, reactive dyestuff, oxidation color, dyestuff forsynthetic fiber, and fluorescent brightening agent. These organic dyesmay be used singly or in combination as a mixture of two or morespecies. Especially, in the case of an oil-soluble organic dye, theorganic dye sediments in the conventional ink composition. However, whenthe polymer fine particles of the present invention are used, theorganic dye is incorporated into the polymer fine particles duringproduction of the ink composition. Thus the produced ink composition canbe stable. The organic dye may be used in combination with other dyes.

When the pigment is used in the ink composition of the presentinvention, it is possible to use, for example, organic pigment andcarbon black.

Those usable as the binder to be used for the ink composition of thepresent invention include arbitrary resins provided that the resin iswater soluble. The resin includes, for example, polyacrylic ester resin,polymethacrylic ester resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, benzoguanamineresin, alkyd resin, urea resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer,aromatic sulfonamide resin, and styrol resin. The resin may be usedsingly or in combination as a mixture of two or more species.

The ink composition of the present invention can be also utilized as anink for ink-jet printers, a general printing ink, and a paint, as wellas for special applications such as those used for producing colorfilters for liquid crystal displays.

An additive may be appropriately added to the ink composition of thepresent invention depending on applications. For example, in the case ofthe use as an ink for ink-jet printers, it is possible to add, to theink composition, a variety of additives having been hitherto used in theink for ink-jet printers, such as anti-clogging agent for printingheads, antifoam for the ink, drying agent, microbicide, humectant,pH-adjusting agent, and agent for giving water resistance to printedmatters.

A toner composition can be also produced by using the polymer fineparticles of the present invention. The polymer fine particles of thepresent invention can be also applied to a preparation forpharmaceuticals and cosmetics by combining the polymer fine particleswith appropriate components.

EXAMPLES Production of Polymer Fine Particles Example 1

180 grams of Deionized water was added to a three-necked flask (2liters) installed with a cooling tube, an agitator, and a droppingfunnel, which was then heated to 70° C. in an oil bath. An aqueoussolution obtained by dissolving 2.0 grams of ammonium persulfate in 50grams of deionized water was added dropwise to the flask over 2 hours.On the other hand, 25.0 grams of tetramethylammonium salt of lauric acidand 5.0 grams of amyl alcohol were dissolved in 375 grams of deionizedwater to obtain a solution which was added with a monomer compositioncomprising 100 grams of styrene, 75 grams of methylmethacrylate, 50grams of butylacrylate, and 30 grams of divinylbenzene to prepare anemulsion solution. The emulsion solution was added dropwise to theforegoing three-necked flask over 2 hours. After 5 hours passed, thepolymerization was completed. An emulsion of a pale blue semitransparentsolution was obtained by the polymerization. The particle diameter of apolymerization product in the emulsion was measured in accordance withDLS (Dynamic Laser Light Scattering). As a result, the particle diameterwas 55 nm.

Example 2

Polymer fine particles were synthesized in the same manner as describedin Example 1 except that 25.0 grams of tetramethylammonium salt oflauric acid was changed to 20 grams of sodium laurate. The particlediameter of an obtained polymerization product was measured in the samemanner as described in Example 1. As a result, the particle diameter was60 rm.

Example 3

Polymer fine particles were synthesized in the same manner as describedin Example 1 except that 25.0 grams of tetramethylammonium salt oflauric acid was changed to 20 grams of tetramethylammonium salt ofmyristic acid. The particle diameter of an obtained polymerizationproduct was measured in the same manner as described in Example 1. As aresult, the particle diameter was 85 nm.

Example 4

180 grams of Deionized water was added to a three-necked flask (2liters) installed with a cooling tube, an agitator, and a droppingfunnel, which was then heated to 70 ° C. in an oil bath. An aqueoussolution obtained by dissolving 20. grams of ammonium persulfate in 50grams of deionized water was added dropwise to the flask over 2 hours.On the other hand, 15.0 grams of polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene blockpolymer (produced by Sanyo Chemical Industries, trade name: New PolePE-78) and 5.0 grams of amyl alcohol were dissolved in 375 grams ofdeionized water to obtain a solution which was added with a monomercomposition comprising 100 grams of styrene, 70 grams ofmethylmethacrylate, 50 grams of butylacrylate, 10 grams oftetramethylammonium salt of methacrylic acid, and 25 grams ofdivinylbenzene to prepare an emulsion solution. The emulsion solutionwas added dropwise to the foregoing three-necked flask over 2 hours.After 5 hours passed, the polymerization was completed. The particlediameter of an obtained polymerization product was measured in the samemanner as described in Example 1. As a result, the particle diameter was120 nm.

Comparative Example 1

Polymer fine particles were synthesized in the same manner as describedin Example 1 except that 25.0 grams of tetramethylammonium salt oflauric acid was changed to 25 grams of sodium lauryl sulfate. Theparticle diameter of an obtained polymerization product was measured inthe same manner as described in Example 1. As a result, the particlediameter was 45 nm.

Preparation of Ink Composition Example 5

0.2 part by weight of Rhodamine B extra was added to 100 parts by weightof a solution (emulsion)) containing the polymer fine particles obtainedin Example 1 dispersed therein, followed by agitation and mixing toprepare a fluorescent pigment ink. The ink was printed onto a sheet ofpaper by using an ink-jet printer (produced by Hewlett-Packard, Desklet505J) to obtain a printed matter.

Example 6

0.2 part by weight of Rhodamine B extra was added to 100 parts by weightof a solution containing the polymer fine particles obtained in Example2 dispersed therein, followed by agitation and mixing to obtain afluorescent pigment ink. The ink was printed onto a sheet of paper byusing the ink-jet printer described above to obtain a printed matter.

Example 7

0.2 part by weight of Kayacryl Blue N2G was added to 100 parts by weightof a solution containing the polymer fine particles obtained in Example3 dispersed therein, followed by agitation and mixing to obtain a bluepigment ink. The ink was printed onto a sheet of paper by using theink-jet printer described above to obtain a printed matter.

Example 8

0.2 part by weight of Kayacryl Blue N2G was added to 100 parts by weightof a solution containing the polymer fine particles obtained in Example4 dispersed therein, followed by agitation and mixing to obtain a bluepigment ink. The ink was printed onto a sheet of paper by using theink-jet printer to obtain a printed matter.

Comparative Example 2

0.2 part by weight of Kayacryl Blue N2G was added to 100 parts by weightof a solution containing the polymer fine particles obtained inComparative Example 1 dispersed therein, followed by agitation andmixing to obtain a blue pigment ink. The ink was printed onto a sheet ofpaper by using the ink-jet printer to obtain a printed matter.

Comparative Example 3

An ink was prepared in the same manner as described in Example 6 exceptthat 100 parts by weight of the solution containing the polymer fineparticles obtained in Example 3 dispersed therein was changed to 100parts by weight of deionized water. The obtained ink was printed onto asheet of paper by using the ink-jet printer to obtain a printed matter.

Storage Stability Test

The inks prepared in Examples 5 to 8 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3were stored at 50° C. for 100 hours in a constant temperature bath.After that, the change in color of the ink was visually observed. As aresult of the observation, evaluation was made such that a case of nochange was indicated by "good", and a case of occurrence of change incolor as compared with an initial state was indicated by "bad".Occurrence of any extraneous matter, agglomeration, and precipitationwere not observed after the storage stability test for the inks preparedin Examples 5 to 8 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3.

Spreading Property Test

The inks prepared in Examples 5 to 8 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3were printed onto sheets of paper by using the ink-jet printer tomeasure diameters of printed dots. Spreading of a dot obtained forExample 4 was used as a standard. Evaluation was made such that a caseof spreading of less than 10%, as compared with the standard, wasindicated by "good", and a case of spreading of not less than 10% wasindicated by "bad".

Light Resistance Test

The printed matters were irradiated with ultraviolet light for 10 hoursby using a fadeometer to visually observe discoloration. In this test,evaluation was made such that a case of no or little discoloration wasindicated by "good", a case of a little discoloration was indicated by"not so good", and a case of apparent discoloration was indicated by"bad".

                  TABLE 1    ______________________________________              Storage  Spreading  Light              stability                       property   resistance              test     test       test    ______________________________________    Example 5   good       --         good    Example 6   good       good       good    Example 7   good       good       good    Example 8   good       good       good    Com. Ex. 2  bad        good       bad    Com. Ex. 3  good       bad        bad    ______________________________________

As clarified from Table 1, it is understood that the ink compositions ofExamples 5 to 8, based on the use of the polymer fine particles of thepresent invention produced in Examples 1 to 4 respectively, areexcellent in dispersion stability, as well as they enjoy remarkablesuppression concerning deterioration of the dye, and they suffer littlespreading of printed matters.

The polymer fine particles of the present invention exhibit excellentdispersion stability in an aqueous medium such as the ink composition,with which it is possible to avoid deterioration of a dye or a pigmentcontained in the ink composition or the like. The polymer fine particlesof the present invention do not corrode metallic parts such as a printernozzle when they are used in the ink composition, because they have thecarboxylate group on their surfaces. Printed matters suffer lessspreading when the ink composition containing the polymer fine particlesof the present invention is used, as compared with any ink compositioncontaining no polymer fine particle of the present invention.

The present invention may be practiced or embodied in other variousforms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristicsthereof. It will be understood that the scope of the present inventionis indicated by the appended claims, and all variations andmodifications concerning, for example, the presence or absence or typeof solvent for the polymer fine particles, and the type or form of dye,pigment, binder, solvent and other additives for the ink composition,which come within the equivalent range of the claims, are embraced inthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Polymer fine particles comprising apolymerization reaction product that is obtained byemulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture containing:one or more monomershaving a radical polymerizing unsaturated group, and wherein at leastone of the monomers in the monomer mixture being emulsion-polymerized isa compound having a carboxylate group and the radical polymerizingunsaturated group, and said compound is present in an amount of 0.05 to5 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight of monomers in the monomermixture; wherein the carboxylate group is represented by the followingformula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I)

wherein in the formula (I), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR7## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be thesame or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number ofcarbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, respectively.
 2. The polymer fineparticles according to claim 1, wherein the carboxylate group isrepresented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+

wherein X⁺ is one species selected from the group consisting of:##STR8## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be the same or different, representinghydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4respectively.
 3. Polymer fine particles comprising a polymerizationreaction product that is obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomermixture containing:one or more monomers having a radical polymerizingunsaturated group, and wherein at least one of the monomers in themonomer mixture being emulsion-polymerized is a compound having acarboxylate group and the radical polymerizing unsaturated group, andsaid compound is present in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight per10 parts by weight of monomers in the monomer mixture; wherein thecompound having the carboxylate group and the unsaturated group isrepresented by the following general formula (II): ##STR9## wherein inthe formula (II), X⁺ is one species selected from the group consistingof monovalent metal ion, ##STR10## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be the same ordifferent, representing hydrocarbon groups having a number of carbonatom or atoms of 1 to 4, and R₆ represents hydrogen or a methyl group.4. The polymer fine particles according to claim 3, wherein thecarboxylate group is present on surfaces of the polymer fine particles.5. The polymer fine particles according to claim 4, wherein the polymerfine particles have an average particle diameter of 10 to 300 nm. 6.Polymer fine particles comprising a polymerization reaction product thatis obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture containing:one ormore monomers having a radical polymerizing unsaturated group, and theemulsion polymerization is performed in the presence of a surfactantcontaining a carboxylate group; wherein the carboxy sate group isrepresented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I)

wherein in the formula (I), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR11## wherein R₁ to R₅ may bethe same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a numberof carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, respectively, and wherein thesurfactant containing the carboxylate group is contained in an amount of0.05 to 5 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight of monomers in themonomer mixture.
 7. The polymer fine particles according to claim 6,wherein the carboxylate group is represented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+

wherein Y⁺ is one species selected from the group consisting of:##STR12## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be the same or different, representinghydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4respectively.
 8. Polymer fine particles comprising a polymerizationreaction product that is obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomermixture containing:one or more monomers having a radical polymerizingunsaturated group, and the emulsion polymerization is performed in thepresence of a surfactant containing a carboxylate group; wherein thesurfactant containing the carboxylate group is contained in an amount of0.05 to 5 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight of the monomer in themonomer mixture, and wherein the surfactant containing the carboxylategroup is a compound represented by the following general formula (III):

    R.sub.7 COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                  (III)

wherein in the formula (III), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR13## wherein R₁ to R₅ may bethe same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a numberof carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4 respectively, and R₇ represents ahydrocarbon group having a number of carbon atoms of 6 to
 18. 9. Thepolymer fine particles according to claim 8, wherein the carboxylategroup is present on the surface of the polymer fine particles.
 10. Thepolymer fine particles according to claim 9, wherein the polymer fineparticles have an average particle diameter of 10 to 300 nm.
 11. Apreparation of polymer fine particles comprising a polymerizationreaction product that is obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomermixture containing:one or more monomers having a radical polymerizingunsaturated group, and wherein at least one of the monomers in themonomer mixture being emulsion-polymerized is a compound having acarboxylate group and the radical polymerizing unsaturated group, andsaid compound is present in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight per10 parts by weight of monomers in the monomer mixture; wherein thecarboxylate group is represented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I)

wherein in the formula (I), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR14## wherein R₁ to R₅ may bethe same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a numberof carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, respectively.
 12. A preparation ofpolymer fine particles comprising a polymerization reaction product thatis obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomer mixture containing:one ormore monomers having a radical polymerizing unsaturated group, andwherein at least one of the monomers in the monomer mixture beingemulsion-polymerized is a compound having a carboxylate group and theradical polymerizing unsaturated group, and said compound is present inan amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight ofmonomers in the monomer mixture; wherein the compound having thecarboxylate group and the unsaturated group is represented by thefollowing general formula (II): ##STR15## wherein in the formula (II),X⁺ is one species selected from the group consisting of monovalent metalion, ##STR16## wherein R₁ to R₅ may be the same or different,representing hydrocarbon groups having a number of carbon atom or atomsof 1 to 4, and R₆ represents hydrogen or a methyl group.
 13. Apreparation of polymer fine particles comprising a polymerizationreaction product that is obtained by emulsion-polymerizing a monomermixture containing:one or more monomers having a radical polymerizingunsaturated group, and the emulsion polymerization is performed in thepresence of a surfactant containing a carboxylate group; wherein thecarboxylate group is represented by the following formula:

    --COO.sup.- X.sup.+                                        (I)

wherein in the formula (I), X⁺ is one species selected from the groupconsisting of monovalent metal ion, ##STR17## wherein R₁ to R₅ may bethe same or different, representing hydrocarbon groups having a numberof carbon atom or atoms of 1 to 4, respectively, and wherein thesurfactant containing the carboxylate group is contained in an amount of0.05 to 5 parts by weight per 10 parts by weight of the monomer in themonomer mixture.